Key Verse – Matthew 3:11
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And after gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For from you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
Matthew 2:1–6 (NASB 2020)
Matthew begins by grounding the birth of Jesus in geography, history, and prophecy. Jesus is born in Bethlehem of Judea, a small town located about six miles from Jerusalem. This detail matters because Bethlehem was also the city of David. About a thousand years earlier, Israel’s greatest king had come from this same place.
Matthew clarifies Bethlehem of Judea because there was another Bethlehem in the region of Zebulun. The Messiah was not merely to come from a Bethlehem, but this Bethlehem. Matthew quotes Micah to show this was not coincidence. God had already declared that a ruler and shepherd of Israel would come from David’s city. From the opening verses, Matthew is compiling proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
Matthew 2:1–12 (NASB 2020)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem…
The magi, or wise men, come from the east. They were learned men, likely familiar with ancient prophecy. Their journey connects to Numbers 24:17, where Balaam prophesied that a star would come forth from Jacob and a scepter would rise from Israel. A star and a scepter point to a king.
Matthew anchors this moment historically by noting that Jesus was born during the days of Herod the Great. Herod rebuilt the temple and achieved much politically, but he was ruthless and paranoid. He murdered his own sons and his wife to protect his throne.
When Herod hears of a true “King of the Jews,” he is troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. This child threatens not only Herod’s power, but the corrupt religious and political leadership in Jerusalem. Herod secretly summons the magi, not to worship, but to deceive.
God intervenes. The star moves and comes to rest over the location of the child. This is supernatural guidance. The magi arrive at a house, not a manger, and they fall down and worship Jesus.
They present three gifts:
1. Gold, symbolizing royalty.
2. Frankincense, associated with divinity and priestly service.
3. Myrrh, a bitter substance connected to suffering and death.
Isaiah 60:6 prophesies gold and frankincense being brought to the Messiah in His future reign. But we notice something, that Myrrh is absent there. Why? The bitterness of suffering belongs to Christ’s first coming. When He reigns over 1,000 years, that work will be finished.
Warned in a dream, the magi depart by another way. God protects His Son.
Matthew 2:13–15 (NASB 2020)
Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt… This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’”
Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1, which actually has a double meaning. This originally referred to Israel being brought out of Egypt by Moses. But, Matthew applies it to Jesus as a greater fulfillment, Israel was God’s son nationally; Jesus is God’s Son uniquely. What Israel failed to do, Christ will do perfectly.
Matthew 2:16–18 (NASB 2020)
Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity…
Herod’s rage results in unimaginable violence. Male children two years old and under are slaughtered. This is the same man who murdered his own family members.
Matthew quotes Jeremiah 31:15, where Rachel, the symbolic mother of Israel, weeps over the nation’s exile. Matthew applies this lament to Bethlehem. Just as the exile attempted to erase Israel, this massacre attempted to erase God’s chosen One.
Matthew 2:19 (NASB 2020)
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt…
Herod dies. The false king passes. God’s plan continues.
Matthew 3:1–6 (NASB 2020)
Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
John appears as the forerunner. His message is simple: Repent. Repentance is a change of mind and direction. Seeing sin as God sees it prepares the heart to receive Him. Confession opens the heart to God.
Matthew 3:7–10 (NASB 2020)
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers…”
John the Baptist confronts the religious leaders – they trusted in lineage, tradition, and outward righteousness. The leaders believed descent from Abraham guaranteed acceptance into heaven, a sort of ‘free pass’. John dismantles that belief, saying that salvation is not inherited. Being raised religious does not equal saving faith. Faith is a personal choice for everyone.
Matthew 3:11 (NASB 2020)
As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John contrasts his ministry with the Messiah’s. John’s baptism is external. Christ’s work will be internal and eternal.
Matthew 3:12–17 (NASB 2020)
His winnowing fork is in His hand… He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John, to be baptized by him…
After He was baptized, the heavens were opened, the Spirit descended, and the Father spoke: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Father,
Thank You for revealing Your Son and confirming Him as King.
Give us hearts that repent, eyes that see truth, and faith that follows Christ alone.
Prepare us to receive Your Word and to walk in obedience to it.
We trust You and rest in Your will.
Amen.